Holder for string



Feb. 15, 1938. J. M. SAPUNAR 2,108,449

HOLDER FOR STRING Filed Jan. 29, 1936 INVENTOR v fospw M SAPUNAR ATTORNEY PatentedFeb. 15, 1938 UNiTEosTATEs A-TE'NTF oFFicE' 2 Claims.

This invention pertains to a holder for string and it is adapted for employment in such places as find frequent use for string or twine in the wrapping of packages and the like.

The invention is adapted to be attached to a counter or other surface in any location convenient to the user. i

The particular advantage of the device forming the subject matter of the invention lies in the fact that it serves to hold the free end of a string in readiness for the user and to thus overcome the inconvenience usually experienced in searching for the same.

It is a well known fact that the principal users of this mediumof securing a package waste considerable time and effort in this particular part of the task of wrapping due to their inability to readily lay hands on the tying means. It is also well known that many shopkeepers resort to various makeshift devices but the fact that no one means has been universally adopted is persuasive proof that nothing deemed entirely satisfactory I has been heretofore devised.

In use, as stated, the holder forming the subject matter of this invention may be fastened to a counter while the ball of string is placed in any of the conventional containers situated in some out of the way spot. It is to be appreciatedthat the present device does not place any tension on the string, tension being a factor of no impor-' tance in this particular art, but rather serves to clamp the loose end of string securely when a length of it is not being withdrawn.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the character described into which the string may be quite readily inserted, that is, one which requires no threading, as it is usually termed. Furthermore, it is an object of this invention to providea device from which the string cannot be displaced. In the present device, once the string has been inserted in the clamping elements, the only possible move- .ment of it is through the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described which is of extremely simple construction and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to operate, and yet eflicient for the purpose stated.

- With the above-mentioned objects in mind, attention is now drawn to the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the string holder attached to the edge of a counter engaging the free end of a string the ball of which is in a remotely situated receptacle.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device atclamping member or latch I4 projects.

(oi. 242-144) 7 V tached to a, surface, with the clamping element and spring shown in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the clamping element and spring, with the base plate and the cover in section.

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of the device with a portion of the cover removed, showing the manner in which a string is introduced.

I0 designates a base plate having conventional screw holesv therein for attachment and an aperture l2 through which the hook I3 of the A casing I5 is attached to the base plate Ill in any suitable manner and has a cut away portion at its upper end to form a slot Hi When connected to the plate Ill.

"The lower end of the latch 14 is pivotally attached within the casing l5 by means of the pin ll, and its hook I3 is normally urged through aperture l6 by means of a free spring I8 positioned between the said latch 14 and the rear wall of casing l5.

Figure 4 shows the manner of introducing a string I9 into the device. As the string is pulled downwardly on the curved surface of hook I3 of latch 14 the latter is forced away from plate I0 until the string clears the tip of the hook I3 and slides under it. Thereupon spring l8 urges latch l4 outwardly and hook l3 again enters aperture 12 in plate It]. Due to this construction it is impossible to remove the string by a vertical pull on 'the same when it is grasped on both sides. of

the device. Nor will a vertical pull on the free end of the string cause the device to release the string completely since it will bear against the underside of the hook 13.

When the free end of the string is grasped it may be freely pulled laterally through the holder until the desired length is obtained since such movement overcomes the tension of spring I8 on latch M.

It will be appreciated that the invention may take many forms in addition to that illustrated in the drawing and the disclosure herein made is not to be taken as an indication of limitation and the scope of the invention is to be judged in the light of the appended claims. Y

Having thus described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by grant of Letters Patent, is:

1. In a holder for a string, a base having an aperture therein, a latch having a projection thereon, means supporting said latch for pivotal movement with respect to said base between a within said housing, a projection on said latch, yieldable means normally urging said latch into a position in which said projection extends into said aperture, and a longitudinal slot in said housing in substantial registry with said projection and said aperture permitting insertion of a string between said latch and said aperture, said string being fed through the holder laterally with respect to said latch.

JOSEPH M. SAPUNAR. 

